Whatever else happens in the Republican campaign, Mitt Romney seems to stay in the 20-to-25 percent range. His range, in fact, is not unlike his hair. If it moves, it’s not so anyone would notice. But the way things look in Iowa right now, 20 to 25 percent would be great for him. The race is that wide open. There’s a chance that five players could score in double figures. Bachmann and Perry both helped themselves in the Thursday debate. Attack ads are making people think twice – or, in Newt’s case, it should be three times — about Gingrich. Paul is Paul, meaning that he’s got enthusiastic backers and also a low ceiling. The more winners there are in Iowa, the better it is for Romney in New Hampshire.

So, to the big board (last week’s ranking):

1. Newt Gingrich. It gets snowy in Iowa this time of year. Watch for slippage. (tied for 1)

5. Michele Bachmann. Played Newt-the-bully card at debate. Does that make her look weak or strong? (6)

6. Jon Huntsman. Not sure what he was doing in Iowa. (5)

7. Rick Santorum. Terrible debate. Trump would have fired him. (7)

8. Gary Johnson. Yes, Gary Johnson (8)

Bonus pick: Tim Tebow. State Sen. Greg Brophy mentioned to me the other night how cool it would be if someone at a GOP debate would Tebow. Rick Perry came very close. If not for his bad back, he might have gone all . . . the . . . way.

Among my other sins, I'm a serial columnist. Over too many years to mention, I've written news columns, sports columns, features columns and op-ed columns. My first job was covering the Virginia Squires and Dr. J in the old American Basketball Association. I moved from the Virginian-Pilot to the Los Angeles Times, then to the Baltimore Sun, then to the late Rocky Mountain News and on to The Post.

A blog about whatever thoughts bounce through Mike Littwin's head — from politics to basketball (speaking of bouncing) to politics to books to politics to movies to politics to Sarah Palin (whenever I need the extra clicks).